‘Gattuso is a real man who says things to your face’

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Manuel Locatelli of Italy shouts directions throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)

Manuel Locatelli admits he had ‘issues with consistency’ in his profession, however praises Gennaro Gattuso with a dig at earlier Italy bosses. ‘He’s an actual man who says issues to your face.’

The Azzurri took a protracted whereas to interrupt Israel down on the Stadio Friuli in Udine, discovering the way in which via with a Mateo Retegui penalty, whereas Gianluigi Donnarumma needed to make two huge saves.

It went higher after the break, as Retegui curled into the highest nook, then in stoppages Gianluca Mancini nodded in from a nook for the ultimate 3-0 outcome.

This implies Italy are assured a spot within the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, with the draw to search out out who they may face on November 21, then enjoying in March 2026.

Locatelli hails Gattuso after tense different experiences

“We might’ve carried out higher, however that is no time to take a look at the previous, we’d like the current and the long run,” Locatelli instructed Sky Sport Italia and RAI Sport.

“We’re definitely experiencing it higher now, the coach introduced quite a lot of constructive vitality, he has religion in me and I really feel that. I additionally noticed the appropriate perspective over the previous couple of days, this group actually desires to do nicely.”

Verify the Soccer Italia Participant Scores for Italy 3-0 Israel

The Juventus midfielder has gone via some ups and downs with the Italy squad, usually being frozen out totally, whereas as we speak he stepped in after a change of system from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2.

“I had issues with consistency in my profession, I settle for the blame for that with out alibis. I’ve reached maturity now, I really feel joyful and wish to proceed like this,” famous Locatelli.

Out of Gattuso’s 4 video games answerable for Italy, Locatelli has began two of them, and doesn’t disguise his fondness for the coach, maybe with just a little dig for predecessors too.

“I do know the coach nicely and his principal attribute is that he’s an actual man, he tells you issues to your face. That could be a essential factor for a coach, and it is extremely good for us. He gave one other fantastic speech within the locker room as we speak, we’ll preserve that to ourselves.

“As I mentioned, he’s actual and he says issues to your face.”

Publish navigation